HP Smart Pin

The Smart Pin (Hewlett-Packard Smart Pin) or center pin on power supply connectors most commonly found on Hewlett Packard Laptops and some slimline desktop computers has two implications. The existence of the pin is said to help protect the device by preventing excessive loading. Others in the technology industry believe it is a means to prevent customers from purchasing non-OEM power supplies or adapters for their laptop or desktop computer. They believe the pin is used to identify that a genuine HP adapter is being.